Hiss-off homophobia

Get your opportunity to boo down Tony Abbott, and hiss off the Salt Shakers, all in the name of good fun, of course, at the inaugural Gay and Lesbian Outrageous, Ridiculous and Ignorant comment Awards.
Based on the Ernies — the awards night of sorts set up by Meredith Burgmann to ‘honour’ the most shamefully sexist men in public life — the GLORIAs will seek to name and laugh at the more ludicrously homophobic comments made over the past year.
“The purpose is to shine a light on the outrageous comments that are made in public life about members of the GLBTI community,” event creator, Labor Party MLC Penny Sharpe said.
There will be seven categories — media, politics, sport, religion, the law, online and silliest GLBTI comment made from within the community.
“Based on the Ernies experience, two things will happen: people nominated will be terribly horrified that they’ve qualified,” Sharpe said. “The other is that there are some commentators around the place who seem to actually be trying to win.”
The Ugandan Government and the International Association of Athletics Federation — for its comments about South African runner Caster Semenya — top Sharpe’s list of possible winners. She hasn’t ruled out the possibility of going through NSW Parliament Hansard to find some of her colleagues’ clangers.
Top offenders in each category will then be dealt with, at a gala dinner on International Day Against Homophobia, May 17. Attendees will get to take part in a ‘boo-off’ to decide who takes home the trophy for absolute worst offender.
“I don’t think the GLORIAs are going to change the world, but I do think it might make a few people in the public eye think a little bit more carefully about what they casually say at the moment,” Sharpe said.
GLORIA nominations are now open.
Reservations can be made to attend the award night on May 17. Tickets are $130 and include a three-course meal.
info: For more information, visit www.theglorias.com.au